DIY Mini Notebook With Pockets
/Are you a fan of pretty notebooks? Do you always like to keep one to hand? Then these easy DIY pocket notebooks are for you.
Simple and inexpensive to make they can be whipped up in less than half an hour. Complete with paper pockets in both the front and back cover you’ll never loose a receipt or ticket again.
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This post was originally shared in 2015 but has since been updated.
DIY Pocket Notebooks.
It’s September and that means it’s back to school time. Today I’m going to show you a really fun technique for making mini notebooks that have extra pockets on the inside of the cover. Perfect for storing stickers, page markers, letters or receipts.
Do you remember those DIY notebooks I made recently? I think they're one of the most useful things I've ever made. I've been carrying them around with me for the past few weeks and have been busy jotting down notes and tucking in all my receipts.
I know a lot of people find digital note keeping easier but I always prefer to go ‘old school’ and use actual pen and paper.
I've nearly filled my last notebook and was about to make some more when I realised there was one thing that would make them even better. Pockets!
Instead of stuffing all my receipts in between the pages and hoping they didn't fall out wouldn't it be better to have a pocket on the inside of each notebook? The answer of course is yes, yes it would.
If you’re a scrapbooker or memory keeper of any kind you’ll know how easy it is collect a bunch of paper that you want to keep but haven’t gotten around to actually sticking in your scrapbook yet.
Receipts, wristbands, stickers, food wrappers or even Instax photos (smartphones are great but there’s nothing like watching a real life photo develop before your eyes). These paper pocket notebooks are a fantastic way to keep all these loose bits of paper safe.
And don’t worry if making a whole notebook from scratch isn’t your thing. Here’s a couple of ways to add a pocket to an existing notebook.
How to make a pocket for a notebook.
For a quick and easy way to add a pocket all you need is an envelope. Find one that fits your notebook (these mini notebooks are beautiful colours and a bargain, you get 24!) and remove the flap. Secure to the inside of the cover using a tape runner or double-sided tape.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous check out this expandable pocket from Sea Lemon below. It’s a really simple way to add a pocket that can hold things like photos you don’t want to stick down, tickets from a favourite film or other mementoes.
Supplies:
Scrapbook paper (I used this Crate Paper pad)
Scoring Board and Bone Folder or an Embossing Tool and a Steel Ruler
Double-sided tape (I like this skinny 1/4 inch tape) or a Tape Runner
Plain paper
And a Sewing Machine
How to make a paper pocket for a notebook.
1. Trim your paper to size.
For each cover you'll need a piece measuring 12 x 6 inches. This means that if you're using scrapbook paper you can get two covers out of each 12 x 12 piece.
2. Using either a scoring board and a bone folder or an embossing tool and ruler score lines at 2 3/4 inches, 6 inches and 9 1/4 inches (7 cm, 15.2 cm and 23.2 cm).
Your paper should now be divided into 4 pieces. The two outside pieces are going to make your pockets.
3. To make the first pocket you need to cut out the top left corner.
Measure and cut out a piece 2 x 2 3/4 inches. It's the shaded part in the first picture above.
4. Apply some adhesive to the bottom and outside edge of the flap. This will make a paper pocket that will open from the top.
Fold this in and stick down.
5. To make the second pocket fold the right hand side in and stick both the top and bottom edges down. This will make a pocket that opens from the side. Perfect for holding receipts or tickets.
I like to use double-sided tape or a tape runner to stick the pockets down as runny school glues can make the paper buckle and glue sticks can come away over time.
I made and attached my pages in the exact same way as my DIY Mini Notebooks. I've briefly laid out the steps below but if you want a more in-depth tutorial and some step by step photos I recommend reading the original post.
6. For the pages of your notebook you need to cut and trim some paper to size.
I used plain printer paper and trimmed it to 6 inches tall. Fold your sheets of paper in half and crease using a bone folder.
7. Stack your folded pages inside of each and then place them inside your cover.
8. Lay everything flat and use binder clips to hold your pages in place.
9. Use a sewing machine to sew down the centre of your pages.
10. Knot together the ends (you can find out how to do this without your thread unravelling here) and cut away any excess thread.
11. Remove the binder clips and fold your notebook.
12. Fold your notebook in half. You’ll find the edges of your paper stick out from the edge of the cover.
13. To neaten up the edges trim away any excess using a ruler and a craft knife.
To do this line up a ruler (a metal/steel ruler works best) with the edge of your cover and trim away any excess paper with a craft knife.
The best way to ensure a smooth edge is to make several light slow cuts rather than pressing as hard as you can with the blade.
Depending on the number of pages you may need to press your finished pocket notebooks under something heavy.
I filled one of mine with a few too many pages and it kept popping open. I placed it under a stack of books for couple of hours and that seemed to do the trick. I made the next two with fewer pages and didn't seem to have any problems.
Each notebook measures 6 x 3 1/4 inches so they're a bit taller and not as wide as my last notebooks but still a good size for throwing in your bag.
What do you think? Let me know how you get on in the comments below.
